Walnut Memory Box

It has been way too long since I’ve posted a project.. Between life as it happens and a much larger build that is easy to get burnt out on, I had to sneak this box in. My buddy is getting hitched this Saturday and I’ve gotten into the habit of making boxes for wedding gifts

The majority of this box is made from a single walnut board I had laying around. I cut it mostly in sequence, so it gives the appearance that it wraps all the way around. The corners are mitered and I cut 1/4” groves around the top and bottom to hold 1/4” hardwood ply (I don’t remember the type). Once it was taped and then glued with the ply panels in place, I cut the requisite splines at the top and bottom, cut the top of the box off, then cut an additional spline in each corner below the lid. After that, I ran the top of the box through the saw, connecting the front two spline cuts—making one long cut across the front. In that slot and the rest of the splines, I fitted thin pieces of chinaberry. After the glue dried, I cut and sanded them down flush (or in the case of the lid handle, down to the profile I wanted).

A quick hit with the ROS, copious amounts of Danish Oil and wax, and some sharp-looking (I thought) hinges from Ace, left me with a box I’d rather keep than give away.. But alas..